Warriors back three best in NRL: Pearce

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck spearheads a Warriors back three who lead the way in the NRL, according to Newcastle Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce.

Warriors Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is part of the best back line in the NRL, Mitchell Pearce claims. (AAP)

The Warriors possess a match-winning back three which is unrivalled in the NRL in the eyes of Mitchell Pearce.

Newcastle halfback Pearce lauded the trio after being blitzed by fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and trampled over by hulking Warriors wingers David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo in a 20-4 loss in Auckland,

Asked how the Warriors outside men stacked up against other teams in the league, Pearce was adamant.

"I probably rate them the best," he said.

"Melbourne have got a pretty good back three, and the Roosters, with Fergo (Blake Ferguson) and guys like that.

"But the way Roger's playing at the moment and then obviously their two wingers, they were making 30-40m in three plays just on their own."

Pearce marvelled particularly at the hot-stepping form of former Roosters teammate Tuivasa-Sheck.

He said the 25-year-old is unearthing the giddy standards hit before his club allegiance switched across the Tasman in 2016.

"Everyone was disappointed at that time at the (Roosters). He's a super player and a great leader up here and with the Kiwis," Peace said.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney wasn't getting as carried away with a largely methodical display which all-but assures his sixth-placed team of post-season duty.

Asked about Pearce's back three assessment, Kearney simply responded: "I'm not going to argue there".

Kearney said his team's defence had reached a "base standard" in successive wins over the Dragons and Knights.

However, the attack is still in need of a polish, he contended, starting next week against the Bulldogs in Sydney.

Knights counterpart Nathan Brown said the Warriors can't be discounted in the finals after his team had their energy sapped by the physical nature of Friday's match.

"I don't think the Warriors are any worse chance of putting two or three games together (in the play-offs) than any of the other sides," he said.

"Nine (Issac Luke), seven (Shaun Johnson) and one (Tuivasa-Sheck) have all played a fair part in the Kiwis' resurgence in rugby league, winning World Cups and Tri-Nations."


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Source: AAP


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